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PODCAST

Main Street Success Stories

Welcome to "Main Street Success Stories", where each month, we deep dive into the journeys, the challenges, and the triumphs of real-world local entrepreneurs. Whether you"re dreaming of starting your own venture or just looking for a dose of inspiration, you"re in the right place. Join us as we celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship, learn from each other and motivate you to keep growing your own local business

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

25:02

Episode 41: Selling Your Small Business: Real Talk...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/06/16

What if the business you’ve poured your heart into can’t be sold when you’re ready to move on? In this eye-opening episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jessica Starks, business broker and Exit Factor expert, to break down everything entrepreneurs need to know about building a business with resale in mind — even if selling feels miles away. With 80% of businesses never selling, this is a must-listen for anyone building a business they hope to exit someday. Key Discussions: Why 80% of bus...

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34:23

Episode 40: Stop Guessing: How to Truly Understand...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/06/02

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Curt and Rob, co-founders of HUMN Marketing Agency, to unpack the power of customer-centered storytelling and human-first marketing strategy. With complementary backgrounds in design, nonprofit leadership, and brand messaging. The conversation dives into the importance of understanding your customers on a deeper level—and how most business owners are marketing based on assumptions, not insights. You’ll learn how to use frameworks like StoryBrand, plus ...

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29:15

Episode 39: Are you Ignoring the Most Powerful Free...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/05/19

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Geoff Schalow to demystify the Google Business Profile (GBP) and reveal how local business owners—whether brick-and-mortar or home-based—can optimize their presence on Google Maps and search results to attract more clients and outrank big-box competitors. From avoiding profile ownership mistakes to simple habits that boost visibility, this is your go-to episode if you’ve been guilty of the “set it and forget it” strategy. Geoff breaks down GBP best pra...

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34:13

Episode 38: Small Steps, Strong Roots: The Long Game...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/05/05

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Rebecca, the founder of a successful web design studio in West Michigan. From building websites for her dad’s agricultural business to launching her own creative agency, Rebecca shares her 20+ year entrepreneurial journey rooted in curiosity, faith, family, and community. Listeners will hear how she grew her business intentionally—without rushing—and how she balanced motherhood with meaningful work. Rebecca’s story is a powe...

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17:50

The Earn More, Stress Less Growth System Explained

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/04/29

I often get asked "How do you work with Small Business Owners". In this episode, Jennifer Kok, small business strategist and founder of the Earn More, Stress Less Growth System, shares the real reason why so many entrepreneurs burn out — and how you can avoid it and how she helps. Jennifer walks listeners through her proven 3-step framework that has helped countless service-based business owners double their profits, attract better clients, and grow without relying on endl...

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37:49

Episode 37: Love, Business and Boundaries: ...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/04/21

In this powerful and heartfelt episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with relationship coach Kathy Rushing, founder of Lodestar Relationship Coaching, to explore the unique dynamics of marriage, business partnerships, and entrepreneurship. With over 40 years of marriage and decades of entrepreneurial experience, Kathy brings an insightful perspective to the conversation—especially for couples navigating business ownership together or individuals whose partners “just don’t get” entrepreneurshi...

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33:21

Episode 36: Turning Clicks into Clients: Pinterest...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/04/07

In this episode, Jennifer Kok chats with Jen Dys, Pinterest Marketing & Content Strategist and founder of Level Up Business Creative. Jen shares her journey from being a physical therapist to launching a successful Pinterest strategy business during the pandemic. Together, they unpack why Pinterest is one of the most overlooked but powerful marketing tools for both B2B and B2C businesses. You’ll learn how Pinterest differs from other platforms, why it favors connection and click-throughs ...

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26:43

Episode 35: From Forgettable to Unstoppable: Nail...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/03/24

Ever fumbled through an introduction at a networking event? Struggled to make people really understand what you do? In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, I’m joined by business communication and speaking expert, Leslie Fiorenzo, who shares a simple yet powerful formula to craft an elevator pitch that sparks interest and generates referrals. Leslie breaks down the key components of a great pitch—how to grab attention, highlight a problem, present a solution, and create curiosity in j...

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30:35

Episode 34: Ditch the Pitch: The Networking Strategy...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/03/10

In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, host Jennifer Kok sits down with Sara Barco, business and networking consultant and founder of 52 Connections. Sara is passionate about helping business owners strengthen customer retention and build authentic connections. She shares her unique approach to networking, why traditional hard leads groups don’t work for everyone, and how entrepreneurs can find the right networking opportunities that fit their personality and business goals. If you'v...

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35:09

Episode 33: From Bottleneck to Boss: How to Lead...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/02/24

“If you can develop leaders within your business, you free yourself to actually grow it.” ~Jennifer Kok In this episode, Jennifer Kok interviews leadership development coach Shaina Lane, who specializes in helping corporate professionals and small business owners transition into effective leadership roles. They discuss the challenges business owners face when hiring and managing people, the importance of shifting from a task-driven to a people-centered mindset, and how to build a thrivi...

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43:26

Episode 32: How One Entrepreneur Turned Challenges...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/02/10

In this inspiring episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok sits down with Scott Vogel, owner of Nothing Bundt Cakes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Scott shares his remarkable journey of transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship and the challenges, failures, and victories along the way. From depleting savings to building a thriving, community-focused business, Scott's story is a masterclass in grit, resilience, and giving back. Scott opens up about the realities of runni...

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16:18

Episode 31: The Shocking Truth About Small Business...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/01/30

Did you know that only 50% of small businesses make it to year five? That statistic fires me up! In this solo episode, I’m diving into the real reason so many entrepreneurs struggle—ignoring their numbers. I’ll take you behind the scenes of my own business journey, including a humbling moment when my payroll checks bounced (yes, it happened!). But more importantly, I’ll show you why understanding your numbers isn’t just about finances—it’s about confidence, growth, and finally paying yourself...

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37:30

Episode 30: Instagram Strategy Simplified: Growth,...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/01/28

Welcome to Main Street Success Stories, where we inspire and equip creative entrepreneurs to stress less and earn more. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Jenna Harding, a former actor-turned-social media expert who’s now empowering entrepreneurs to attract paying new clients on Instagram without spending endless hours glued to their phones.Jenna shares her journey from the stage to running a thriving social media management agency and teaching others how to use Instagram effective...

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44:01

Episode 29: Mastering Money: Profit Strategies for...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2025/01/13

In this episode, Jennifer Kok sits down with Jamie Trull, a financial literacy educator and former Fortune 500 finance executive turned entrepreneur, to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of business ownership—managing money. Jamie shares her journey from corporate finance at Coca-Cola to launching her own business, fueled by her desire for flexibility and independence.Key takeaways include:Jamie’s Entrepreneurial Journey: How her corporate finance background inspired her to empower s...

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30:50

Episode 28: Maximize Local Business Reach with Social...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2024/12/30

In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, Jennifer Kok chats with Brooke Norlin, a seasoned Virtual Assistant (VA) with a knack for helping business owners streamline their operations and amplify their online presence. They dive into Brooke’s journey from early days in social media to her current role as a VA. The conversation focuses on actionable strategies for locally-owned businesses to thrive online and drive foot traffic to their brick-and-mortar stores.We discussed: The chal...

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12:57

Episode 27: Adapt & Survive: What's Coming Next For...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2024/12/16

In this episode of Main Street Success Stories, host Jennifer Kok dives into her personal entrepreneurial journey, sharing how she overcame challenges during the 2008 recession by pivoting her business model. Jennifer provides insight into resilience, adaptability, and innovation, essential traits for small business success. If you’re a small business owner, Jennifer’s story will inspire you to always embrace change and explore new opportunities.You have the power to adapt, to innovate and to...

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28:24

Episode 26: Overcoming Fear and Growing Your Business...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2024/12/02

In this episode, Jennifer Kok interviews Stacy Sloan, founder of 3 Little Birds Granola, who shares her inspiring entrepreneurial journey. Stacy reflects on her path from culinary school to creating a clean-label, allergen-free granola that has expanded into K-12 food service markets across multiple states. She candidly discusses the challenges of starting as a hobbyist, the fear she faced when transitioning to larger markets, and the importance of focusing on quality, sustainability, and met...

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37:36

Episode 25: Marketing Makeover: Embracing Modern...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2024/11/18

Molly Bossardt with Bread to Butter Digitial Marketing, started her business in 2020 with a focus on helping small-town businesses—particularly wineries—modernize their marketing strategies. She emphasizes the importance of niching, which allows her to cater to wineries’ unique challenges, such as family ownership structures and the need to engage a younger audience. Molly advocates for a 360-degree marketing approach that includes key elements such as maintaining a modern, user-fri...

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35:32

Episode 24: Customer Collaboration: The Secret...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2024/11/04

In today’s episode, we sit down with Tanya Thompson, founder of The Aroma Labs, as she opens up about how a journey through grief inspired her to start a business that now spans multiple locations. Tanya’s story is both touching and empowering, offering insights into how she skillfully turned a personal loss into a thriving business with a unique approach to customer involvement.Episode Highlights:Tanya shares the key steps she took to transform her curiosity into a successful venture.Curiosi...

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33:03

Fashion, Philanthropy, and Profit: How to Run a...

Main Street Success Stories ·

2024/10/21

In a conversation between business coach Jennifer Kok and entrepreneur Brittani Clancey, we learn about Brittani's business, Fashion Pact, a unique thrift store in Anchorage, Alaska. Her business donates 30% of every sale to local charities, with customers choosing the recipient charities at both the donation and purchase stages.Brittani’s business journey began after 10 years as a stay-at-home mom, followed by a desire to create something meaningful for her community. Initially, the store st...

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83 results

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